PHOENIX -- Peter Forsberg is coming to the NHL's Central Division, but he's not going to be wearing a winged wheel.

The Philadelphia Flyers traded Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent and two draft picks. Upshall was the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft; Parent, who hasn't played in the NHL, was the 18th overall pick in 2005.

"Great addition for Nashville," said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. "Obviously, Philadelphia got three first-round picks. (Nashville) paid a lot of futures, but they got themselves a great player."

"We made a pitch. Obviously, we came up short."

Holland said he last spoke with Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren two days ago.

Did it ever get to a point where Forsberg was asked if he would report to the Wings?

"I asked Paul Holmgren; he seemed to think we had a shot at him," Holland said. "But it never got to the point where we got a deal done. So, I don't know if he would have reported or wouldn't have, other than the manager telling me he assumed we'd be a team on his list."

The Wings are 2-1-0 against the Predators with five more meetings. The teams next meet in Nashville on Feb. 24.

"He's going to help their cause in the race for the division," Holland said.

The Predators (39-16-3) have a one-point lead over the Wings (37-16-6) in the Central Division and have played one fewer game.

Forsberg, 33, gives the Predators a proven playoff performer. He has 162 points in 139 career playoff games, including 61 goals.

Whether he can stay healthy is the big question. Forsberg, who becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, has missed 16 games this season with a variety of injuries, including a concussion, groin problems and sore back. He also has had various problems finding a comfortable skate for his right foot. He has 40 points this season.

Among forwards the Wings are believed to be interested in are the Panthers' Todd Bertuzzi and Gary Roberts, and the Blues' Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin.

BLUE COLLAR DAD: Of all the people accompanying the Wings on their father-son trip this week, Richard Lictawa of Lapeer might represent the Everyman.

Lictawa, Kirk Maltby's father-in-law, worked at Chrysler in the early '80s before suffering a knee injury on the job. His daughter, Wendy, met Maltby a couple of seasons after he joined the Wings.

"I'm very fortunate," Lictawa said. "My daughter found one of the nice guys."

Maltby brought his father on the dad's trip last year and decided to bring his father-in-law this time.

I was really hoping that the Wings could acquire Forsberg, but the Predators gave up ALOT to get him. I sincerely doubt that Holland would be willing to give up that much for a player heading into free agency after the season. Unfortunately, Nashville may now be the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year.

There's still almost a week until the trade deadline and I'm confident that the Wings will get a big winger with the ability to score before all is said and done. Who it will be? I have no idea.

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February 16th, 2007, 7:57 pm

TheRealWags

Megatron

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12534

I think if the Wings could pick up Bertuzzi they would be set for a strong run at the Cup. They need an enforcer and Todd would definitely be able to do that.........

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February 16th, 2007, 8:20 pm

wjb21ndtown

TheRealWags wrote:

I think if the Wings could pick up Bertuzzi they would be set for a strong run at the Cup. They need an enforcer and Todd would definitely be able to do that.........

I agree... And, the best part about it is... Bertuzzi can score as well as enforce...